1918 Flu Pandemic - Ancestry Insights

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During the pandemic, 25 percent of the U.S. population fell ill, and 675,000 Americans died. The healthy did their part to aid the sick—many joined the Red Cross and were trained as nurses. 1918. Credit: Apic/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

1918 Flu Pandemic

The flu pandemic of 1918 hit six of the seven continents, infecting 500 million people in almost every corner of the globe.

In 1918, a flu pandemic swept the world, taking the lives of nearly 50 million people, making it one of the world's deadliest natural disasters. It is no coincidence the outbreak coincided with World War I—millions of soldiers living in cramped conditions throughout the far reaches of the globe sped up transmission of the virus. Unlike most other influenza outbreaks, this virus particularly affected the young and healthy, leaving a workforce already compromised by the war even further shrunken. In an effort to maintain morale, the Allied Powers, including the United States, tried to hide the flu's devastating effects from its citizens. The press, however, was free to report the damage in countries that had remained neutral in the war, like Spain. Because accounts of infection and death tolls were limited, many came to believe that Spaniards were hit especially hard by the flu, which is why the illness today is commonly known as the Spanish flu.

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As the pandemic spread westward from the East Coast, the Health Commissioner of St. Louis, Missouri, Dr. Max C. Starkloff, organized doctors and prepared for the inevitable. American Red Cross workers, wearing protective masks, aided flu victims throughout the city.

As the pandemic spread westward from the East Coast, the Health Commissioner of St. Louis, Missouri, Dr. Max C. Starkloff, organized doctors and prepared for the inevitable. American Red Cross workers, wearing protective masks, aided flu victims throughout the city. October 1918, St. Louis, Missouri. Credit: PhotoQuest/Archive Photos/Getty Images

Though it may seem naive by today's standards, many doctors at the time believe the flu could be cured with a healthy dose of fresh air. In cities, public service announcements reminded residents to keep their windows open.

Though it may seem naive by today's standards, many doctors at the time believe the flu could be cured with a healthy dose of fresh air. In cities, public service announcements reminded residents to keep their windows open. 1919. Credit: Cincinnati Museum Center/Archive Photos/Getty Images

In the United States, the flu hit East Coast cities as the virus spread across the Atlantic. Within a year, the American life expectancy dropped more than 10 years. Field hospitals like this one in Lawrence, Massachusetts, sprang up across the United States (and the world) to accommodate the growing number of flu victims.

In the United States, the flu hit East Coast cities as the virus spread across the Atlantic. Within a year, the American life expectancy dropped more than 10 years. Field hospitals like this one in Lawrence, Massachusetts, sprang up across the United States (and the world) to accommodate the growing number of flu victims. 1918, Lawrence, Massachusetts. Credit: Hulton Archive/Archive Photos/Getty Images

During the pandemic, scientists rushed to develop vaccines, some using guinea pigs as test subjects. Although certain inoculations caused life-threatening complications, including pneumonia and brain swelling, doctors continued in their quest to make an effective vaccine. Unfortunately, none was found before the epidemic had run its course.

During the pandemic, scientists rushed to develop vaccines, some using guinea pigs as test subjects. Although certain inoculations caused life-threatening complications, including pneumonia and brain swelling, doctors continued in their quest to make an effective vaccine. Unfortunately, none was found before the epidemic had run its course. 1918, Boston, Massachusetts. Credit: Hulton Archive/Getty Images